Fire extinguisher



T. M. DUNLP FIRE. EXTINGUI SHER Filed Deo. 18, 1916 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 T. M. DUNLAP FIRE EXTINGUISHER @am 21 1924. Y www@ Filed Dec. 18'; 191e 2 sheets-snee@ 2 Patented ct. 21, 1924.

UNTE STATES LSIZAB@ PATENT QFFIC THEODORE M. DUNLAP, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T THE FYR-FYTER COMPANY, OIE' DAYTON, OHIO, A CORPORATION 0F OHIO.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

Application led December 18, 1916. Serial No. 137,560.

To all whom t 'may concern:

v Be it known that I, Trrnononn M. DUN- LAP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Fire Extinguishers, of which the following is a fullclear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in fire extinguishers.

One object of the invention is to provide a ire extinguisher of the portable, hand operated, air pressure type and so designed as to permit discharge of the entire liquid contents of the container in any position of the latter. ff

Another object of the invention is to provide a lire extinguisher which may be discharged from any position and which has a.

pair of intake mouths located at opposite ends of the container, the intake mouths being mounted on the free -ends of flexible tubes, the latter being so positioned and supported that one intake mouth will always position itself, under the influence of gravity, at the lowermost point of the container.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher having an air pump with a reciprocating piston and a valve lcontrolled by the position of the piston rod or operating handle, the arrangement being such that leakage or evaporation of the fire extinguishing liquid is positively prevented while the operating handle is in its normal inoperative position, said valve being re leased by a turning movement of the operating handle, thereby simplifying the operation and minimizing the danger from inability of inexperienced persons to operate the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fire extinguisher having the shut-oil' valve so arranged that after pressure has been created within the container, such pressure can be maintained within the extinguisher when not in use.

The invention furthermore consists in the improvements in the parts and devices and in the novel combinations of the parts and devices, herein shown, described and forming the subject matter of the claims.

This application is a continuation in 'part of an application filed by me October 5, 1914. which application became Serial No. 864,989 and after being renewed June 16, 1916, matured into Patent No. 1,259,002, March 12, 1918.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification, and wherein the preferred embodiment is illustrated, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal central section of an extinguisher embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is a part end elevation, part section of the extinguisher, the section being taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating more particularly the shut-off valve and controlling handle, the section being taken on the line 3 8 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially on the line 1 -4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view illustrating more particularly the valve casing and associated parts. enlarged detail sectional view illustrating the -air pump ,piston and inner end of the pump cylinder. Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially onthe line 77 of Fig. 3 and illustrating parts ofv the shut-off valve. And Fig, 8 is a detail view illustrating the inner end of the operating handle with the cam and lock formed thereon.

In said drawing, 20- denotes a container for the lire extinguishing liquid and various operating parts, the container being shown as of cylindrical form. Within said container is located the air pump device designated generally by the reference A; valve. controlling mechanism designated generally by the reference B; and intake tubes or pipes designated generally by the reference C The air pump, as shown, comprises a cylindrical tube 21 secured at its outer end to the end wall 22 of the container, said tube or cylinder 21 being close-d at its inner end by a plug 23, the latter having an extension 24 centrally recessed to receive a perforated, threaded nut 25 for' retaining a ball check valve 26 and a spring 27 ycontrolling the position of the ball.

Slidably mounted within the tubular cylinder 21 is a hollow tubular piston rod 28 having the piston mounted thereon at its inner end. Said piston comprises a brass casting 29 slidably mounted on the tube 28, and a casting 30 threaded to the member 29 and forming a space 3l therebetween to per- Fig. 6 is an mit a short independent movement ofl the tubular fitting 32 which is threaded to the pist-on rod 28. The members 29 and 30 together form a spool to receive packing 33 which forms a seal between the piston and the cylinder 21. The member 30 is provided with a tapered extension 34 which acts as a valve and is normally seated on the corresponding valve seat 35 of the plug 23, the extension 34 being perforated as indicated at 36 to permit passage of air therethrough. The fitting 32 is also tapered at its inner end as indicated at 37 and cooperates with a valve seat 38 on the member 30.

With the parts as shown in Figs. 1 and 6, it is apparent that communication from the interior of the casing is closed by means of the ball check valve 26; the tapered valve and seat 34 and 35; and the tapered valve and seat 37 and 38. Vhen the pump is operated by the handle, (which is released in the manner hereinafter described) the piston rod or tube 2S is withdrawn and in so doing, the tting 32 slides a short distance relatively to the piston proper, thus withdrawing the tapered valve 37 from the vseat 38. This permits passage of air from the interior of the tube 28 through the openings 39 and 36 to the underside of the piston. Air enters the piston rod 28 through an opening 40 formed in the tube 28 near its outer end, as shown in Fig. 1 and, as the piston is withdrawn, it is apparent that the check valve 26 will prevent liquid being drawn into the air pump. As the piston is forced inwardly, the valve 37 will first position itself on the seat 38 and the air which has been trapped on the inner side of the piston will be forced through the plug 23 against the action of the check valve 26. It is apparent that this operation may be continued as much as desired to create and maintain the necessary pressure within the container.

Referring now more particularly to the valve mechanism for controlling the intake and discharge of the liquid from the container, as most clearlyl illustrated in Figs. l and 5, there is shown a valve casing comprising a tubular section 41 having plugs 42 at the ends thereof, the latter being centrally perforated as indicated at 43 to accommodate the stems 44 of a pair of valves 45. The valve stems 44 are connected by means of a U-shaped slide 46 (see Fig. 1), which fits over the reduced ends 47- of the stems 44,-said slide 46 serving to insure the simultaneous movement of the valves 45 and to maintain the latter at a fixed distance apart. Loosely mounted Within the valve casing and between the ends of the valve stems 44 is a relatively heavy, preferably lead ball 48 which is free to move under the iniuence of gravity. Se-

cured to each of the end plugs 42 and surpossible.

49 is a cup 51 into which the liquid from rounding the corresponding valve 45 is a cup shaped member 49 suitably perforated as indicated at 50 as near the plug 42 as Surrounding each cup member the corresponding tube C discharges so that. as the liquid is discharged into the end of the casing, it passes through thel openings 50 substantially on the 4underside of the valve .45 to thereby minimize the tendency to close the latter. The valve casing is provided with a pair of openings 52-52 which communicate with a pipe 53 and the latter leads to the shut-off valve, hereinafter described, and from the lat-ter the liquid is discharged through the discharge pipe 54.

The operation of the valves which control the discharge of the liquid, is as follows: Upon the container being tilted with either end down, the. valve adjacent the lower tube C will be opened under the influence of gravity, the ball 48 assisting in this operation and making the operation more sensitive. Simultaneously with the opening' of the lower valve, the upper valve will be closed, thus preventing any communication from the interior of the casing through the uppermost tube C. As pressure is created within the container by actuating the air pump, the liquid will be forced into the valve casing and out through the tube 53 and discharged through the delivery tube 54.

Each of the flexible intake tubes C is secured at its inner end to the corresponding member 51, as previously described, and the fixed ends of the tubes C are substantially in line with the longitudinal axis of the container. Each of the free ends of the tubes C is provided with a heavy, preferably lead weight 55 having a recess 56 therethrough, said members 55 being substantially conical shaped at their outer ends as indicated at 57, whereby the free ends of the tubes will automatically and readily shift around the container to the lowermost position therein, under the inuence of gravity. As will be understood, the intake tubes C are made air-tight to prevent. leakage of air therethrough. From the preceding description, it will be seen that no matter in what position the extinguisher is held, one of the intake mouths will always be in the lowermost position in the container so that the entire contents of the container may be discharged.

In order to control the discharge of the liquid from the container. and insure proper operation of the extinguisher, I have provideda shut-off valve. the details of which are most clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. As there shown, a cast valve casing 58 is secured to and extends inwardly from the end wall casting 22 of the container. The casing 58 has threaded thereinto at its inner end a..

bushing 59 to which the outer end of the is extended through a longitudinal bore 63 and packing gland 62 to the exterior of the container. At its outer end, the stem 61 passes through an opening 64 in a lever actuating plate 65. Nuts 66-66 are threaded on said stem 61 and preferably soldered thereto on opposite sides of the plate 65 so that movements of the latter Will be communicated to the valve 60. A cork packing 67 is provided for the valve 60 to seat against to thereby form a tight seal when closed.

As shown in Fig. 7, the delivery or discharge tube 54 is in communication With the open# ing 63, so that, When liquid is forced through the tube 53 and the valve 60 is open, it passes into the discharge tube 54 and out through the nozzle 68. The plate 65 is at tached to the end 22 by a screw 69, the latter permitting a limited swinging movement of the plate 65, said screw 69 being soldered or otherwise secured to the end 22 so as to prevent the same from coming off. The plate 65 is perforated to receive the base 70 of the operating handle 71, the base 70 being secured to the outer. end of the piston rod tube 28 and by Which the latter is operated. The piston rod slides at its outer end Within a bearing 72 formed in a casting 7 3 secured to the end of the container. The casting 73 is also centrally perforated andis provided with overhanging tianges 74 beneath which is adapted to engage a lug 75 formed on the base of the handle, the lat-ter having also a cam groove or thread 76 with Which co-operates a lug 77 formed on the inner edge of the opening in the plate 65.

The normal position of the parts is shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, that is, with the lug 75 on the handle engaged beneath the flange 74 and With the lug 77 of the plate 65 in the high point of the cam groove 76. Vith the plate 65 in this position, it is apparent that the valve will be in closed position, thus preventing communication from the interior of the container to the exterior through the discharge pipe 54. When it is desired to operate the extinguisher, the user grasps the handle 71 and turns it sufficiently to disengage the lug 75 from beneath the flange 74, whereupon the handle can then be Withdrawn and the air pump operated. Simultaneously With the turning of the handle 71 to disengage the lug75, the lug 77 on the plate will travel down the'cam groove 7 6, thus Yforcing the valve stem 61 inwardly and un-l seating the valve 60.V With this arrangement, the shut-oft' valve is automatically opened when the user turns the pump handle to its disengaged position and, vice versa, when the extinguisher is not being used and the handle is turned to locked position. kthe shut-off valve is automatically closed. During this last operation, it is apparent that the handle and piston rod connected thereto Will be forced inwardly to their innermost position which will insure the positive seating of the valves 37 and 34 on their respective valve seats 38 and 35, at the inner end of the air pump.

The valve casing B is preferably secured in position by means of a strap 78 Which encircles it and the cylinder 21. The container is filled through an opening 79 Which is normally closed by means of a screw plug 80.

From the preceding description, it Will be seen that the extinguisher which I have provided can be operated and discharged in any position and the entire contents of the container forced out. Furthermore, the user may close the delivery nozzle 68 With his finger and pumpup as much pressure as desired and then remove his finger and permit the discharge of the liquid Without actuating the pump, thus permitting him to devote his entire efforts in directing the liquid to the proper place. Also, as previously described, pressure can be created and maintained Within the containereven when not in use so that immediate discharge of the liquid. Without pumping up pressure, can be obtained Whenever the same is used. By controlling the shut-off valves from the handle, danger of the user getting cpnfusedis minimized as only one operation is necessary, that is, turning of the handle, before the air pump is brought into play.

Although the device herein shown and described in detail is considered the preferred embodiment of the invention, the same is merely illustrative and all changes and modifications are contemplated that come Within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

That is claimed is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a liquid container, of an air pump Within the container having an operating rod extending to the exterior of the container and provided With a handle, a valve casing Within the container, oppositely extending flexible intake tubes connected with said casing, said tubes having intake mouths at the free ends thereof, one of the latter being always adapted to be automaticall)v positioned at the lowermost unobstructed point in the container, and a dis charge pipe in communication With said casing, the liquid being forced through said in- /take tubes into the casing and through the discharge pipe b v air pressure created by saidv pump.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination With a liquid container, of av discharge pipe, a valve casing rigidly mounted. Within said container and in communication with said pipe, intake pipes also in communication with said casing, the intake pipes being so arranged that the liquid can be substantially all discharged from the container in any position of the latter said intake pipes being independently adjustable under the influence of gravity, and means for creating air pressure Within the container for forcing the liquid through an intake pipe into the valve casing and from the latter through said discharge pipe.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a liquid container, of a valve casing fixed within the container substantially in the center thereof, the axis of the casing paralleling the axis of the container, a discharge pipe in communication with said casing, a flexible tube extending from each end of the casing toward the adjacent end of the container, the free end of each of said tubes having an intake mouth adapted to shift under the influence of gravity and position itself in the lowest unobstructed part of the container, and means for causing a flow of liquid through one of said tubes into the casing and from the latter through theV discharge pipe.

4. In a device of the character described, in combination, a container adapted tobhold a fire extinguishing `fluid, receiving tubes having their intake ends respectively arranged near the opposite ends of thev container and freely movable therein by gravity to all of the various unobstucted low points of the container according to the position of the latter and having their delivery ends maintained substantially in the axis of the container, a delivery tube for the fluid, and means for opening communication from either of said delivery ends to said delivery tube and for correspondingly closing communication from the other of said delivery ends to the delivery tube, communication from the delivery end of the upper receiving tube being always closed.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container adapted. to hold a fire extinguishing fluid, of a valve casing ixedly mounted `within said container, the valve casing extending longitudinally of the container, a pair of intake tubes, each of lsaid intake tubes having the, delivery end thereof attached to an end of said casing, the admission end thereof extending toward the corresponding adjacent end of the container and freely movable therein under the influence of gravity to all of the various unobstructed low points of said end of the container according to the position of the latter, and gravity-actuated valves within said casing slidable axially thereof, the lowermost valve being main-` talned in open position whereby Huid will pass from the lowermost intake tube and communication between the uppermost in take tube and said casing will be closed.V

6. In a device of the character described,

the'combination with a container, of an air pump within said container, said air pump including a cylinder, apiston, a piston rod extending to the exterior of the container and adapted to be operated from the outside thereof, said piston and the inner end of said cylinder being provided with oppositely arranged `controlling valves, a valve casing ixedly mounted within the container, said valve casing including a pair of valves movablev in unison and maintained at a fixed distance apart, intake tubes each having one end thereof attached to said 4casing and in conimunication with the latter, the opposite end of each tube being freely movable relatively to the casing and container, and a discharge pipe also in communication with said casing, the liquid being adapted to be forced through an intake tube by pressure created by actuating said pump.

7 In a device of the character described, the combination with a container adapted to hold a ire extinguishing liquid; of a valve casing located substantially centrally within the container; air pressure creating means; a discharge pipe in communication with said casing; a pair of intake tubes extending in opposite directions from the ends of said casing and in communication with the latter; a pair of Valves controlling the discharge of liquid from said intake tubes to the casing, said valves being oppositely arranged and simultaneously, conversely operable; and means for each valve, within the casing, for directing the flow of liquid from an intake tube substantially to the under side of Vthe corresponding valve to thereby minimize the tendency to close the open valve when the container is being discharged. Y

8. In' apparatus of the class described,

vcomprising an elongated tubular receptacle adapted to contain a liquid, a pump cylinder rigidly mounted in said receptacle, a valve casing rigidly mounted in said receptacle.

medially of the ends thereof, a pair of flexible pipes each having one end thereof mounted on and communicating with said valve casing, the other end of each of said pipes being freely movable 4and being weighted for causing them to hang downward in said'casing, a discharge nozzle communicating with said valve casing, a piston slidably mounted in said pumpl cylinder,

means providing for the admission ,of air from the atmosphere to the interior of the pump cylinder, and means providing for the discharge of air under pressure from the pump cylinder to\ the interior of the receptacle, all being adapted to pump-air into said receptacle and to discharge the liquid through nozzle. j A

9. In a device of the character described,

y the combination with -a container, of avalve casing. within said container and having lnO said pipes, valve "casing and air pressure pump within the container operated by a handle, a pipe for discharging liquid from said container, a shut-ott valve for said discharging pipe and means, operated by said handle, for controlling the position of said valve, said means including a stem extending from said valve and a pivoted member attached to the end of said stem, said handle having a cam groove with which said member engages to thereby oscillate said member with respect to its pivot and correspondingly shift the valve.

11. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container, of air pressure creating means for expelling liquid from said container, said means including a handle movable in one manner for creating the air pressure within the container, and means independent of said pressure creating means and operable from said handle, when the latter is moved in a different manner,

for sealing the container to retain the pressure therewithin.

12. In a device of the character described, the combination with a container, of air pressure creating means for expelling liquid :trom said container, said means including a handle provided with a cam and having a reciprocating motion'for'creating the air pressure, and means operated by lsaid cam when said handle is partially rotated for sealing the container to thereby retain the pressure created therewithin.

.13. In a device of the character described, in combination: a liquid container; a valve casing located centrally of the container; a delivery duct in communication With said casingr and extending therefrom to the exterior of the casing and adapted to discharge the liquid from one end of the container, said delivery duct being disposed to one side of the container; a pair of flexible intake tubes in communication with said casing and each of which is txedly attached to one end of said casing, each of said tubes having also an intake mouth at its free end, the intake mouths being free to swing under the influence of gravity; and pumping mechanism within the container and -ex tending along one side thereof.

14. In a' tire extinguisher operable in any position, in combination: a liquid conf tainer; a valve casing loca-ted within said container substantially midway between its ends; means for delivering liquid from said casing to the exterior of the container, said means being disposed to one side of the center line of said container; ports in said casing; valves controlling said ports and so arranged that when the container is tilted with one end up, one port is closed and vice versa; receiving tubes each having one end thereof in communication with and fixed with respect to one of said ports, said tubesV having flexible portions and provided with intake mouths at their free ends, said receiving tubes having free, pendulous movements within the container; and air pressure creating mechanism also disposed Within said container and disposed adjacent the same side as said delivery means.

15. In a device of the character described, comprising a container, a pump and a valve, in combination: mea-ns for locking the pump piston to prevent longitudinal movement, said means being operable to unlock the piston by rotating the piston, and means intermediate the first named means and the valve arranged to positively effect movement of the valve by said rotation of the piston.

16. In a device of the character described, in combination: a container; a pump therein, the piston rod of said pump being extended to the exterior of the container; a reciprocating valve having a stem also extended to the exterior of the container; an operating handle carried by said piston rod and having a cam thereon; and means interposed between said cam and the exterior end of said valve stem adapted tovactuate the latter upon movement of said cam. v

17. In a device of the character described, in combination: a container; two intake pipes Within the container; a discharge pipe common to both intake pipes; and gravity valve mechanism adapted to cut one or the other of said intake pipes off from the discharge pipe, said mechanism comprising a valve'for each intake pipe, a member connecting said valves so that they m'ove in unison, and a sensitizing weight adapted to roll i by gravity 'into contact with one or the other of said valves and operate it, said connecting member operating the other valve simultaneously but conversely.

v18. In apparatus of the class described, comprising a tubular receptacle adapted to -contain a liquid, a pump cylinder mounted in said receptacle, a valve casing mounted in said receptacle medially of the ends thereof, a pair of iexible pipes each having one end with said valve casing, the other end of each of said pipes beingreely movable and being Weighted for causing them to hang lthereof mounted on and communicating downward in said casing, a discharge nozzle communicating with said valve casing, a piston slidably mounted in said pump cylinder, means providing for the admission of air fromrthe atmosphere tothe interior of the pump cylinder, and means providing for the discharge of air under pressure from the pump cylinder to the interior of the receptacle, all being adapted to pump air into said receptacle and to discharge the liquid through said pipes, valve casing and nozzle.

19. In a syringe, in combination, a receptacle, an air pump, means providing a discharge outlet from the receptacle, means providing an air passage from the pump into the receptacle, and common operated means for closing said outlet and said passage.

20. In a syringe, in combination. a receptacle,'.an air pump, means providing a discharge outlet from the receptacle, means providing an air passage from the pump into the receptacle, common operated means for closing said outlet and said passage. and automatically operated means controlled by the position of the receptacle providing a communicating passage from the lower porvtion of said receptacle to said discharge portion only of said receptacle to said dis y charge outlet.

22. In a device of the character described,

a container, a pump adapted to store air under pressure in the container, a handle whereby to operate the ump, means for locking said handle 'at the end of the compression stroke, said means being operated b v turning the handle of the pump, a valve whereby the pump is cut ofi' from the interior of the container when the handle is locked, a nozzle through which the contents of the container is discharged by the compressed air, a valve to cut off said discharge, means whereby said valve is closed when the handle is locked and whereby the valve is may be opened more orless by turning the handle an amount insutlicient to unlock it or open the valve whereby the pump is cut olf from the container.

23. In a device of the character described, a container, a pump, a valve in the cylinder of the pump, means for opening and closing said valve by movement of the piston, a discharge nozzle, a valve to cut 0H and control the discharge therefrom, means for operating said valve by movement of the pump piston, and means for preventing the cylinder valve opening until after the discharge valve is opened.

24. In a device of the character described, a container, a pump adapted to discharge the contents from the container, a valve for controlling said discharge, an operating member for actuating the pump, said member having two kinds of movement, one of which does not actuate the pump, and means for operating the discharge valve by the movement of the operating member Which does not actuate the pump.

' In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 14th day of Dec., 1916.

THEODORE M. DUNLAP. Witnesses:

LEWIS B. Foo'rr., A. J. THUGKY. 

